[PPT is back on email]
No links in this post as we are just trawling the mainstream and social media for often sorry tales of martial law and coup.
Why martial law?
Prayuth decided to impose the strict law after senators failed to find a way to appoint a neutral PM to end the political crisis, and the military detected the possibility of the warring parties engaging in violence….
Prayuth told a news conference Tuesday that without martial law imposed, the political opponents would never come together to broker peace.
“That’s why martial law was needed, or else who would listen?” said Prayuth. “If I call them in, they have to come.”
The unelected senators wanted it
At their meeting on Tuesday, some senators expressed hope that following imposition of martial law, the military would help the Senate pressure the remaining Cabinet members to resign and pave the way for appointment of a new prime minister, according to the sources.
A senator even suggested soldiers should force the Cabinet members at gunpoint to resign, something that was done by coup-makers.
Who likes it?
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has backed the invocation of martial law…. The Democrat leader took to his Facebook page to welcome the military intervention….
A Bangkok Post editorial: The early hours of martial law showed an intent by the army to treat everyone fairly and without bias. It shut down radio and TV broadcasts and internet sites of all of the most strident, ill-intentioned political groups. The main rallies were permitted to continue at their chosen venues, but only within those designated areas. There will be no street marches.
Foreign chambers and business associations hope that the declaration of martial law will lead to an increase in security and safety, and eventually to a functioning government.
Darren Buckley, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, said: “The military taking control of security is not necessarily a bad thing if it leads to a positive outcome…”.
David Lyman, co-founder of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce Thailand and chairman and chief values officer at law firm Tilleke & Gibbins, said he was relieved to see someone in a leadership position finally step up and take charge of the situation.
“Somebody has to step up and say that enough is enough, since the important thing is to get the economy, businesses and the government running again – and fighting among each other will not get the country anywhere,” he said.
Isara Vongkusolkit, chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Thai Chamber of Commerce had a slightly more nuanced view when he said “Thai private enterprises had a generally positive feeling that the military’s action would bring peace back to the country and prevent further violence.”
“We [the private sector] hope for peace. Now, there should be a middleman to lead negotiations and end the conflict soon. Thailand should have an authorised government to run the country, but preferably a government formed under the democratic process,” Isara said.
Yet another report, quoting the same Isara, stated: THE BOARD of Trade of Thailand believes it would be acceptable to have an interim government with full authority to administrate the Kingdom….
Sa-angtip Amornchat, vice president – marketing of Power Buy, said the Army’s declaration of martial law would be positive for the whole country as well as for the business sector.
The anti-democrats must be happy
The army leader meanwhile criticised Tarit Pengdith, chief of the Department of Special Investigation and secretary-general of the now-dissolved Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, for complicating the political situation by filing criminal charges against government opponents….
The military will deliberate on whether to suspend arrest warrants for anti-government activists…. Gen. Prayuth expressed his wish that the arrest warrants be “delayed.”
Tharit acceded to anything the military wanted.
The media is being heavily censored, with particular attention to red shirt outlets:
The statement said the [military] POMC’s Order numbers 3, 6,7,8, 9/2014 adversely affected the freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 45 of the Constitution, especially numbers 6 and 7 which seek cooperation to suspend the operation of 14 satellite-television stations and community radio stations that do not have an operating licence until an order for change is imposed.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has shut down 3,000 unlicensed community radio stations in line with the martial law….
Under the law, the Army ordered some TV and illegal radio stations to stop broadcasting out of a concern that they may spread false information.
The military was also restricting comments on TV and in the print media by prohibiting remarks that could confuse society or provoke violence. Soldiers were yesterday deployed at all television stations after martial law was imposed.
Six websites reportedly blocked under martial. A committee has been set to censor the internet.. The online crackdown has begun.
The Thai army has directed print media not to publicize commentaries critical of the role of the military.
What government?
Reporter: So the army can do things without having to seek approval from the government?
Prayuth: Where is the government? Where are they now? Well, they should continue working. For the country. Working. Okay, let me put it this way, I will let the officials work. I won’t be interfering with the government. The army and bureaucrats will continue to work. Don’t worry. Things are still normal in this country. We will try not to violate human rights — too much. We will try not to cause inconvenience to the public. There are still many provisions in the martial laws we have not used.
Caretaker Prime Minister Niwutthamrong Boonsongpaisan will be absent from a meeting with Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha this afternoon…. He was later invited, “at the last minute.”
Who me?
The Senate Speaker has refused to comment on the allegation that Thailand’s army chief is being considered as a candidate for the position of Prime Minister.
SENATORS ARE considering the appointment of a new prime minister with full authority to run the country….
How long?
“When peace and safety returned to the country, when there’s stability, we will repeal the martial laws…”.
Red shirts threatened
Reports of Thai Army list of pro-democracy activists they are seeking to arrest.
Campaign of intimidation outside of Bangkok….
Provincial and local Red Shirts leaders are in danger from military’s ambush and arrest.